TESTIMONY OF THE DECEPTIVE LADY DRIVER
I front ended a car on a parking lot.
I hit it, I’d say, pretty bad.
I was not looking and I was careless,
and yes, for sure, I sped.
Two ladies came out of the car I hit.
I felt remorseful and sad.
I told them that I was not looking at all,
And that I felt so bad!
The lady I hit called the police.
She was forgiving and kind.
The officer came and took me aside.
He put a NEW thought in my mind.
“If you LOOKED ahead, then it’s NOT your fault,
as you had the right-of-way.”
“Of course,” I said. “I really was looking…”
I just skipped one word, “away.”
My insurance confirmed it was not my fault.
Well, all was good so far.
My car was fixed. I got some money.
The lady… lost her car.
And then… my final day came...
I found myself by the gates of heaven.
Saint Peter asked if I did OK.
“Did you do right by this lady you’ve hurt?”
“No… But I had the right-of-way”.
Saint Peter pointed at the sign, “Rides To Hell”,
and sent me on my way.
I begged, “Oh please! Don’t look at my sins.
Can’t you, pleeeease… LOOK away?”
Currently I’m living in a dark burning place.
One day, Saint Peter walked by.
I asked him, “Why? Didn’t you hear me?
I begged you. Please, tell me why?”
Saint Peter stopped and calmly said,
“I had the right-of-way.
And yes, I heard you, therefore I LOOKED…
I just skipped one small word, ‘away’”.
Dumbfounded I sat on my burning stool,
but my conscience burnt even more.
What comes around goes around.
Oh, how I wish I knew that before!
But who wants to hear regrets and advise
That mainly come from hell:
“Always do the RIGHT THING,
And ALL will be WELL!”
I’d like to humbly add, “Don’t skip words,
be truthful and clear.”
Well, unless you want to
visit me in here. (:-)
Liliana Kohann
©Artpeace Publishing 2.9.2023 7:39
I front ended a car on a parking lot.
I hit it, I’d say, pretty bad.
I was not looking and I was careless,
and yes, for sure, I sped.
Two ladies came out of the car I hit.
I felt remorseful and sad.
I told them that I was not looking at all,
And that I felt so bad!
The lady I hit called the police.
She was forgiving and kind.
The officer came and took me aside.
He put a NEW thought in my mind.
“If you LOOKED ahead, then it’s NOT your fault,
as you had the right-of-way.”
“Of course,” I said. “I really was looking…”
I just skipped one word, “away.”
My insurance confirmed it was not my fault.
Well, all was good so far.
My car was fixed. I got some money.
The lady… lost her car.
And then… my final day came...
I found myself by the gates of heaven.
Saint Peter asked if I did OK.
“Did you do right by this lady you’ve hurt?”
“No… But I had the right-of-way”.
Saint Peter pointed at the sign, “Rides To Hell”,
and sent me on my way.
I begged, “Oh please! Don’t look at my sins.
Can’t you, pleeeease… LOOK away?”
Currently I’m living in a dark burning place.
One day, Saint Peter walked by.
I asked him, “Why? Didn’t you hear me?
I begged you. Please, tell me why?”
Saint Peter stopped and calmly said,
“I had the right-of-way.
And yes, I heard you, therefore I LOOKED…
I just skipped one small word, ‘away’”.
Dumbfounded I sat on my burning stool,
but my conscience burnt even more.
What comes around goes around.
Oh, how I wish I knew that before!
But who wants to hear regrets and advise
That mainly come from hell:
“Always do the RIGHT THING,
And ALL will be WELL!”
I’d like to humbly add, “Don’t skip words,
be truthful and clear.”
Well, unless you want to
visit me in here. (:-)
Liliana Kohann
©Artpeace Publishing 2.9.2023 7:39
🤔 Below are reflection prompts that are designed to encourage deep reflection on the themes of honesty, accountability, empathy, and the moral consequences of our actions. To read, click on grey rectangles.
SUMMARY
This poem tells the story of a woman who caused a car accident because she wasn't paying attention. After hitting another car, she initially admits her fault, but when the police arrive, she lies, saying she was looking (omitting the word "away"). As a result, she's not held accountable and her insurance covers the damage, while the injured lady is not reimbursed for her losses. However, when the lady who caused the accident dies and faces Saint Peter at the gates of heaven, her deceit catches up with her. Despite her pleas, Saint Peter sends her to hell, mirroring her own justification for not taking responsibility. The poem ends with her realizing the importance of honesty and doing the right thing, warning others not to make the same mistakes.
How this poem came to life
On February 3, 2023, I was pulling out of the loading zone of Lowe's store. I was already crossing the empty road, when a distracted lady entered the parking lot from the street. My passenger, Liz, a 70-year-old lady, saw her approaching. Realizing the lady wasn't going to stop, Liz released her seatbelt and jumped onto my lap. Without breaking or slowing down, the lady drove straight into the passenger side of my vehicle. The loud bang and shock was terrifying. I felt a sharp pain in my hips and stomach, yet soon I disconnected from my body. I was thrilled that nobody was killed. I was also amazed that Liz acted so quickly, and protected herself. Would she not jump to my side, she would surely be severely injured as the whole side of the car was bent in. We got out of the car, and the lady was very apologetic. She explained that she wasn't looking ahead but was distracted by the sheds to her right. My body hurt, but I felt detached. I felt bad for the lady because I knew how terrible I would feel if I hit someone due to not paying attention. Liz and I tried to console her.
But then the unexpected happened that hurt me maybe even more. As I described in the poem, the lady changed her story. When talking to the police officer, and presumably her insurance, she omitted the crucial part about not looking ahead. She likely claimed she was looking but didn't specify she was looking to the right, not ahead. She had seemed so nice, caring, and sorry, but then chose to be deceptive. I was deeply hurt and had to deal with my losses on my own. I couldn't understand how someone so nice could switch so drastically. I ended up losing my car, suffered a fractured pelvis, endured a lot of pain, and lost significant income from work. The accident also triggered PTSD. I was in shock and felt paralyzed, unable to ask for help.
As with most of my writings, poetry came to my rescue. It was as if I heard the lady telling the story from her point of view. And, of course, I had to add a touch of humor to the situation. This poem was a gift to me and helped me eventually reach out for help. I ended up going to the doctor and focused on healing my body.
Then, almost a year later, I discovered that my insurance paid for the repair of her car. That was just not right. I have zero anger, zero hate... but I have a huge moral compass and I can't stand scamming car insurances. That's what keeps our prizes going up and up. And that moral compass is what gave me the strength to finally ask for legal help.
But then the unexpected happened that hurt me maybe even more. As I described in the poem, the lady changed her story. When talking to the police officer, and presumably her insurance, she omitted the crucial part about not looking ahead. She likely claimed she was looking but didn't specify she was looking to the right, not ahead. She had seemed so nice, caring, and sorry, but then chose to be deceptive. I was deeply hurt and had to deal with my losses on my own. I couldn't understand how someone so nice could switch so drastically. I ended up losing my car, suffered a fractured pelvis, endured a lot of pain, and lost significant income from work. The accident also triggered PTSD. I was in shock and felt paralyzed, unable to ask for help.
As with most of my writings, poetry came to my rescue. It was as if I heard the lady telling the story from her point of view. And, of course, I had to add a touch of humor to the situation. This poem was a gift to me and helped me eventually reach out for help. I ended up going to the doctor and focused on healing my body.
Then, almost a year later, I discovered that my insurance paid for the repair of her car. That was just not right. I have zero anger, zero hate... but I have a huge moral compass and I can't stand scamming car insurances. That's what keeps our prizes going up and up. And that moral compass is what gave me the strength to finally ask for legal help.
REFLECTION PROMPT
REFLECTION PROMPTS
These prompts are designed to encourage deep reflection on the themes of honesty, accountability, empathy, and the moral consequences of our actions.
1. Personal Accountability:
• Reflect on a time when you made a mistake but were not held accountable. How did that experience impact you and others involved?
• Have you ever faced a situation where you had the opportunity to tell the truth but chose to withhold information or lie? What were the consequences?
2. Ethics and Honesty:
• What does this poem teach us about the importance of honesty and integrity? Can you think of a time when honesty significantly changed the outcome of a situation?
• How do you think small lies or omissions can accumulate and affect your life and the lives of others?
3. Consequences and Responsibility:
• Discuss how the woman’s actions in the poem led to unintended consequences for both herself and others. Can you relate this to any personal experiences?
• What lessons can be learned about the long-term effects of avoiding responsibility for one’s actions?
4. Empathy and Forgiveness:
• The woman in the poem felt remorseful after the accident. How important is it to show empathy and seek forgiveness when you've wronged someone?
• Reflect on a time when you were in a position to forgive someone who wronged you. How did it feel, and what impact did it have on you and the other person?
5. Justice and Fairness:
• The poem discusses the concept of "right-of-way" both literally and metaphorically. How do you interpret this in the context of justice and fairness in life?
• Reflect on a situation where you witnessed or experienced a lack of fairness. How was it resolved, and what could have been done differently?
6. Spiritual and Moral Lessons:
• How does the poem address the concept of moral and spiritual accountability? Do you believe that actions have spiritual consequences? Why or why not?
• Reflect on the idea of "what comes around goes around." How has this principle manifested in your life?
7. Practical Wisdom:
• What practical advice does the poem offer about living a truthful and responsible life? How can you apply this advice in your daily actions?
• Think of a situation where doing the "right thing" was challenging. What motivated you to make the right choice, or what prevented you from doing so?
These prompts are designed to encourage deep reflection on the themes of honesty, accountability, empathy, and the moral consequences of our actions.
1. Personal Accountability:
• Reflect on a time when you made a mistake but were not held accountable. How did that experience impact you and others involved?
• Have you ever faced a situation where you had the opportunity to tell the truth but chose to withhold information or lie? What were the consequences?
2. Ethics and Honesty:
• What does this poem teach us about the importance of honesty and integrity? Can you think of a time when honesty significantly changed the outcome of a situation?
• How do you think small lies or omissions can accumulate and affect your life and the lives of others?
3. Consequences and Responsibility:
• Discuss how the woman’s actions in the poem led to unintended consequences for both herself and others. Can you relate this to any personal experiences?
• What lessons can be learned about the long-term effects of avoiding responsibility for one’s actions?
4. Empathy and Forgiveness:
• The woman in the poem felt remorseful after the accident. How important is it to show empathy and seek forgiveness when you've wronged someone?
• Reflect on a time when you were in a position to forgive someone who wronged you. How did it feel, and what impact did it have on you and the other person?
5. Justice and Fairness:
• The poem discusses the concept of "right-of-way" both literally and metaphorically. How do you interpret this in the context of justice and fairness in life?
• Reflect on a situation where you witnessed or experienced a lack of fairness. How was it resolved, and what could have been done differently?
6. Spiritual and Moral Lessons:
• How does the poem address the concept of moral and spiritual accountability? Do you believe that actions have spiritual consequences? Why or why not?
• Reflect on the idea of "what comes around goes around." How has this principle manifested in your life?
7. Practical Wisdom:
• What practical advice does the poem offer about living a truthful and responsible life? How can you apply this advice in your daily actions?
• Think of a situation where doing the "right thing" was challenging. What motivated you to make the right choice, or what prevented you from doing so?
what people say
This poem is a thought-provoking piece that cleverly intertwines themes of honesty, accountability, and the moral consequences of our actions. The narrative is straightforward yet impactful, depicting a seemingly small act of dishonesty that spirals into significant repercussions. The poem's use of the "right-of-way" as a motif is particularly effective, serving as both a literal and metaphorical device to explore the idea of taking responsibility.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of irony. The twist where Saint Peter mirrors the woman's excuse to justify her damnation is both clever and harsh, underscoring the idea that our actions and justifications have deeper moral implications than we might realize. This irony drives home the message that dishonesty, even in seemingly trivial matters, can have profound and far-reaching consequences.
The poem also offers a moral lesson that resonates on a personal level. It reminds readers of the importance of integrity and the ethical duty to own up to one's mistakes. The final stanza, with its direct advice to always do the right thing and not skip words, serves as a powerful reminder of the value of truthfulness and clarity in our interactions.
Overall, the poem is a compelling narrative that engages readers through its relatable situation, moral clarity, and ironic twist. It effectively encourages self-reflection on our own actions and the importance of maintaining honesty and integrity in all aspects of life.
One of the most striking aspects of the poem is its use of irony. The twist where Saint Peter mirrors the woman's excuse to justify her damnation is both clever and harsh, underscoring the idea that our actions and justifications have deeper moral implications than we might realize. This irony drives home the message that dishonesty, even in seemingly trivial matters, can have profound and far-reaching consequences.
The poem also offers a moral lesson that resonates on a personal level. It reminds readers of the importance of integrity and the ethical duty to own up to one's mistakes. The final stanza, with its direct advice to always do the right thing and not skip words, serves as a powerful reminder of the value of truthfulness and clarity in our interactions.
Overall, the poem is a compelling narrative that engages readers through its relatable situation, moral clarity, and ironic twist. It effectively encourages self-reflection on our own actions and the importance of maintaining honesty and integrity in all aspects of life.
